PORTLAND — Vowing not to be silenced or to let fear rule their lives, an estimated 400 people gathered Monday night outside City Hall for a vigil to remember the June 12 shooting victims at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

“We cannot turn back the clock; we can only stand together,” Woodfords Congregational Church Pastor Carolyn Lambert told the Congress Street crowd. “We will hold your hands and your heart as you grieve.”

With the toll in the shootings at 50 dead, including shooter Omar Mateen, and 53 injured, EqualityMaine volunteer Michael Sweeney said just handing out ribbons before the vigil meant a great deal to him.

“I’m generally a peacemaker, but I have been angry the last couple of days,” Sweeney said. “This is very cathartic for me.”

State Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, who is also the executive director of EqualityMaine, estimated the size of the crowd by the number of responses he received before the hour-long vigil. People stood at the base of the steps in City Hall Plaza to the curb on Congress Street as speakers from the LGBTQ community and local clergy addressed the gathering.

“I am so tired of the labels; I am so tired of the divisions,” Reza Jalali, coordinator of multicultural student affairs at the University of Southern Maine, said. “Innocence can be murdered, as we have seen. But our determination to love one another can never be destroyed.”

As intermittent rain fell and breezes occasionally blew out candles, the crowd heard how difficult life can be in the LGBTQ community.

“Does it seem to anyone else this is why we gather in crowds this size?” asked Quinn Gormley, who is transgender. “We know our own queer siblings are dying every day.”

In brief remarks, Mayor Ethan Strimling noted how well the community responded to acts of violence based on gender, race or sexual orientation.

“Every time, Maine has stood up and found love,” Strimling said. “You have said no to hate.”

Michelle Patrick, a leader of Pride Portland, urged everyone to attend or march in the annual Pride Portland parade at noon Saturday, June 18, to show continued support and love.

Westbrook resident Tara Lawrence leaned alone against City Hall as she reflected on her need to attend Monday’s vigil.

“I think it is important not to be fearful,” she said. “I would never not be present.”

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The Islamic religion is not tolerant of our American ideals. Regardless of birth place (Omar Mateen is a second generation American) the teachings are the same albeit usually less militant on terrestrial USA.

The more unvetted military age Islamic men and families that immigrate to the USA the more likely we will see horrific southwest Asian style terror related deaths.

Abortion, homosexuality, trans-gender identities. women in the workplace… driving nor their education, are accepted by backwards 7th century religions.

Keep inviting your enemy (or their parents) into the neighborhood and this will keep happening.